RUGBY DIGEST/WALES: Gavin Henson has been ruled out of the Six Nations champions' entire autumn Test series.
Henson recently underwent surgery in Germany for a chronic groin problem. And while the operation has been deemed a success, he now faces an eight-week conditioning and rehabilitation programme.
Wales kick off their autumn series in a sell-out clash against New Zealand on November 5th, followed by appointments with Fiji, South Africa and Australia.
Lions centre Henson would have been a key part of coach Mike Ruddock's plans, but he now joins prop Gethin Jenkins on the sidelines.
Jenkins had a shoulder operation last week and could be out for up to four months, while Henson's Ospreys colleague Shane Williams has had minor groin surgery and is also battling back to full fitness.
ENGLAND: New Zealand-born Mark Van Gisbergen has declared his readiness to do a job for England after being fast-tracked toward Test status.
Despite only qualifying for England on residency grounds earlier this month, the Wasps fullback could feature in the world champions' autumn Test opener against Australia at Twickenham.
He is among five uncapped players selected by England boss Andy Robinson in a 30-man squad for November appointments with Australia, New Zealand and Samoa.
But while fellow newcomers Peter Richards, Perry Freshwater, Lee Mears and Alex Brown are likely to be kept waiting in the wings, Van Gisbergen is poised to forge England's back-three unit alongside Mark Cueto and Josh Lewsey.
The elevation of Van Gisbergen (28) was widely expected, given his outstanding consistency in helping Wasps to three successive Premiership titles and a European Cup triumph.
He is the English Premiership's top scorer this season, averaging 17 points a game.
England are likely to retain outhalf Charlie Hodgson as their first-choice goal kicker against the Wallabies on November 12th but Van Gisbergen offers them a prodigious, points-scoring option.
England's record since they won the World Cup 22 months ago is average to say the least and, after just seven victories from 16 starts, Robinson has had to oversee something of a shake-up.
While Jonny Wilkinson remains sidelined as he recovers from appendix surgery and Martin Corry predictably stays as captain, the international curtain appears to be falling on the likes of Will Greenwood, Ben Cohen, Andy Gomarsall and even Ben Kay.
Leicester and Lions prop Julian White is another high-profile absentee, Robinson stressing his first major squad of the season has been selected very much on form.
There are just 11 members of England's World Cup squad in Robinson's latest group, but he has to begin building towards World Cup 2007 in France.
Newcomers like Bath hooker Mears and Gloucester lock Brown could be pivotal members of England's next World Cup squad, Robinson emphasising form means everything.
The squad assemble on Sunday week for a five-day gathering at Loughborough University and it will be reduced to 22 during the first week of November.
